The University of Iowa Department of Psychiatry will host a "Healthy Minds Across America" presentation Sunday, Sept. 14, one of 48 free public forums across the United States and Canada focusing on mental health research. Robert Philibert, MD, PhD, professor and psychiatrist with University of Iowa Health Care, talks about the event:
What is the purpose of the Healthy Minds Across America forum?
The purpose of this forum is to increase awareness about mental health research, its importance to everyone in the United States, and to start the dialog with the public on how they can participate and promote research and mental health.
Who is sponsoring the program?
The main sponsor is the National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Depression, or also better known as NARSAD, and The University of Iowa is also a co-sponsor of this forum.
How were locations for this forum determined nationally?
They are the leading research institutions in the United States and Canada and are involved in mental health research. They have received funding from NARSAD, which is the largest provider of funding for mental health research—outside the federal government—in the world.
Is there a specific audience that should consider attending the forum?
I think anyone who wants to learn about mental health, mental health research, or to find out the latest techniques and advances that are underway in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders.
Who from The University of Iowa will be presenting?
The first presenter will be Dr. Chadi Calarge, who is an up and coming assistant professor of psychiatry. He will b talk about his studies on the pharmacogenetics of drugs used in the treatment of severe disorders in children and how we can use information from the DNA to decrease the likelihood of side-effects and to increase the likelihood of response in this vulnerable population.
The second speaker will be Dr. Jess Fiedorowicz, who will present some troubling statistics on the impact of mental health on morbidity and mortality in our population. One of the troubling things in our society is that we assume mental health has no effect on our lifespan. Indeed, very often, individuals with illnesses such as schizophrenia find 20 to 30 years taken from their lifespan.
And finally, I'll be talking about a human neuronal stem cell model for a gene that causes vulnerability to schizophrenia.
Will the audience be allowed to submit questions to the panel of presenters?
Absolutely! In addition, we'll have cookies and pop and it should be a good time for one and all.
Where will the Healthy Minds Across America forum be held? What time?
It will be from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Urmila Sahai Conference Room in the Medical Education and Research Facility at the Carver College of Medicine. It's very simply, park at the Newton Road Ramp (Ramp 10), and come on across. It's on the main campus of the University of Iowa Health Sciences and our premiere research building.
If someone would like to attend, do they need to register to attend?
The easiest way is just to e-mail healthyminds@narsad.org or call 800-829-8289.
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